DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging, antibacterial and phytochemical evaluation of crude methanolic extract and subsequent fractions of Chenopodium botrys aerial parts

We investigated antioxidant, antibacterial potentials and secondary metabolites of Chenopodium botrys aerial parts to rationalize its effectiveness in free radicals induced disorders and infectious diseases. Antioxidant activity of plant extracts were investigated using DPPH and ABTS free radicals scavenging assays. Antibacterial potential was studied using well diffusion method. Phytochemical analysis was performed for the presence of secondary metabolites. In DPPH assay chloroform fraction [CHF], ethyl acetate fraction [EAF] and n-hexane fraction [NHF] were most active causing average inhibition of 65.9, 59.2 and 55.9% at concentration of 1mg/ml with IC[50]values of 140, 30 and 590 micro gml respectively. EAF, CHF and aqueous fraction [AQF] revealed highest scavenging effect against ABTS free radicals causing 85.46, 82.73 and 68.80% inhibition with of IC[50]of 75, 94 and 530 micro g/ml respectively. In antibacterial assay, CHF was found most effective against S. aureus presenting an inhibitory zone of 19 mm whereas; EAF, CHF and NHF were most active against K. pneumoneae with inhibitory zones of 27.1 mm, 25.4 and 18.7 mm respectively. C. botrys was tested positive for flavonoids, anthraquinones, saponins and tannins. Current findings revealed that that C. botrys is rich source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial bioactive compounds and may be further investigated

Effect of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profiles of alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

Objective: the study was designed to investigate the effect of aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile parameters like total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

Material and Methods: the rabbits were made diabetic by injecting alloxan monohydrate and divided in two groups of eight each. Group A was treated with distilled water and Group B was treated with ethanolic extract of aloe vera leaf gel for 28 days. The pre-treatment and posttreatment level of lipid profile parameters were recorded and compared. Statistical analysis was done with help of independent t-test. The effects in two experimental groups were analyzed with help of paired t-test

Results: after 28 days of treatment the mean cholesterol level reduced to 80.9 from 97.1, the mean triglycerides reduced to 149.9 from182.6 and mean LDL reduced to 30.8 from 35.6 mg/dl in the aloe vera group. The mean HDL levels increased to 28.2 from 24.5 mg/dl

Conclusion: there was significant lowering of lipid profile parameters with aloe vera leaf gel extract in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

Seasonal variation in stroke in a teaching hospital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Objective: to determine seasonal variation in the occurrence of stroke and its subtypes [ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke] during summer and winter and to observe the frequency of common risk factors for stroke

Methodology: the present descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, MTI Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, over a period of one year from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014. A total of 321 patients of any age and either gender were included. The diagnosis was established based on history, clinical examination and supplemented by CT scan of brain

Results: in winter 58.56% of patients and in summer 41.48% of patients were presented. Ischemic stroke was present in 66.04% patients while hemorrhagic stroke in 33.95% patients. Males had more strokes as compared to females [60.75% Vs. 39.25%]. In males highest number of strokes was found in 60-69 age groups whereas in females it was in 50-59 age groups. In winter the strokes increased in all age groups comparative to summer. Hypertension [34.26%] was the highest risk factor for stroke

Conclusion: stroke showed seasonal variation. Winter season was associated with increased frequency of stroke and its subtype of hemorrhagic stroke. There was variation of gender, season and stroke types in different age groups. Hypertension was found to be the highest risk factor

Efficacy and cost effectiveness of combined conventional interferon alpha 2A and ribavirin therapy in patients of chronic hepatitis C

To determine end treatment and sustained virological response to conventional interferon's and ribavirin. This descriptive study was conducted from January 2009 to September 2011 at DHQ hospital Dir, KPK, Pakistan. Three hundred and forty-seven patients of chronic hepatitis C aged 18 to 60 years were given conventional Interferons alpha 2a and Ribavirin for six months under Prime Minister Program for control of hepatitis. Out of three hundred and forty seven patients three hundred and thirty nine patients completed the therapy. End treatment response was achieved in 229[67.5%] patients and sustained virological response was seen in 210[61.94%] patients. Combination of conventional interferon and ribavirin has a high sustained virological response with fewer side effects in our study. In resource depleted countries like Pakistan, conventional interferon alpha 2a and ribavirin combination therapy can be used as the first line treatment for non affording chronic hepatitis C patients

Effects of tribulus terresteries; To study on urine output and electrolytes in rabbits

The objective of this study was to find the effects of herbal extract of tribulus terristris on the urine output and electrolytes in rabbits and to find a herbal remedy for fluid and electrolyte abnormalities. Descriptive. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Post Graduate Medical lnstitute, Lahore. The duration of study was for two weeks [in 2003]. Sixteen rabbits of mixed breed were purchased locally and kept in the animal house of Postgraduate Medical lnstitute, Lahore for a week for acclimatization before starting the experiment, Twelve hours light and dark cycle was maintained. They were fed on grass, grain, seasonal vegetables and water adlibitum. Animals were weighed for calculation of dosage of herb.

To study the effect of tribulus terristris on urinary PH, uric acid and calcium as a herbal diuretic agent

To study the effect of tribulus terristris on urinary pH, uric acid and calcium as a herbal diuretic agent. Descriptive study. The study was conducted postgraduate medical institute [PGMI] Lahore and duration of study was two weeks. Tribulus terristris extract [100 mg/kg body weight] was administered in rabbits. Rabbits are divided into two groups CT and Tt. There were significant alkalinization of urine and significant reduction in urinary uric acid level and insignificant urinary calcium level observed. It is concluded that alkalinization and reduction of urinary uric acid by Tt would be helpful to reduce renal stone formation

Prevalence of palato gingival groove in maxillary lateral incisors

Palato gingival grooves, also called palatoradicular grooves or radicular lingual grooves are developmental anomalies in which an infolding of the inner enamel epithelium and Hertwig's epithelial root sheath create a groove that passes from the cingulam and extend varying distances apically on to the root. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of palato gingival groove in maxillary lateral incisors, and prevalence of caries in the groove. 200 patients of age ranged between 15-40 years, attending the Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore were randomly selected for examination. Patients with missing or crowned lateral incisors were excluded from the study. All lateral incisors were carefully examined for the presence, extension of palato gingival and caries development in groove. The prevalence of palato gingival groove was 10%. They were found to be 6.75% as coronal groove and 3.25% as an apical groove. Bilateralism was found to be 57.5%, 63% for coronal and 46.15% for apical grooves. In male patients the prevalence was 65% and in female patients 35%. Caries prevalence was 35%, 18.5% for coronal groove and 69% for apical groove. It was concluded that prevalence of palato gingival groove is high in this community and show increased caries incidence

Bone healing of cyst-like periapical lesion following surgical endodontics: a case report

This article presents a case report of endodontic treatment and apicectomy as well as enucleation of large radicular cyst associated with maxillary right central, lateral and canine teeth accompanying labial expansion. Cystic lesion was removed surgically under local anesthesia and apicectomies were done after the completion of root canal treatment

Dens invaginatus: aetiology, classification, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment considerations

Dens invaginatus is a developmental malformation of teeth.Affected teeth show a deep infolding of enamel and dentine starting from the foramen caecum or even the tip of the cusps and which may extend deep into the root. Teeth most affected are maxillary lateral incisors. The malformation shows a broad spectrum of morphologic variations and frequently results in early pulp necrosis. Root canal therapy may present severe problems because of complex anatomy of teeth. Aetiology, classification, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment considerations are reviewed

Trigeminal neuralgia: analysis of pain distribution and nerve involvement

The diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia [TN] has been a source of confusion for clinicians and remains a difficult condition to manage. The study was conducted on 50 patients to evaluate the area of pain distribution and involved nerve. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination and response of pain to carbamzepine. The branch of the nerve was identified and confirmed with 2% lignocain with adrenaline 1:200,000 injection at the identified site and repeated three times on consecutive days. The age of patient's ranges from 21-79 years with a mean age 50 years. Males [60%] were affected more than female [40%] with ratio of 3:2. The right side was involved in 64% whereas left side in 36% of patients. The mandibular division was most commonly involved [n=30; 60%] followed by [n=17; 34%] and ophthalmic division [n=3;6%]. The most common site of nerve branch involved in descending order were inferior alveolar, infraorbital, long buccal and mental

Evaluation of the diagnostic use of free prostate specific antigen/ Total prostate specific antigen ratio in detecting prostate cancer

To assess whether Free/Total prostate specific antigen [PSA] would enhance prostate cancer detection in men with total serum PSA between 2.5 and 10ng/ml. This case control study was conducted in the Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from January 2001 to June 2004. A total of 200 consecutive patients with symptoms of prostate disease, age 60 years or above, and serum PSA level 2.5 to 10.0 were included. Before trans-rectal biopsy of the prostate, a blood sample was taken and total and free PSA levels measured. The results were correlated with biopsy results. All patients had signs of benign prostate disease on digital rectal examination. As a second part of the study, we estimated free prostate specific antigen/total prostate specific antigen ratio [FPSA/TPSA] in 100 local age-matched population who presented to our department with diseases other than that of prostate. Of the 200 patients included in the study, 122 had free/total prostate specific antigen ratio [FPSA/TPSA] >0.18 and 78 patients had <0.18. Of the later 78 patients, 68 [87%] had cancer. Six of the 122 patients showed malignancy on biopsy. In regard to free/total prostate specific antigen ratio there was statistically significant difference between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia [p<0.001]. The sensitivity and specificity of the FPSA/TPSA ratio were 91.9% and 92.1% respectively with 87.2% positive predictive value. The mean total PSA for the benign prostates hyperplasia, prostate cancer and control group were 6.5, 7.2 and 5.2 respectively. FPSA/TPSA ratio in the control group was > 0.42. Free to total PSA ratio improves early detection of carcinoma of prostate and prevents the patients from unnecessary biopsy

Role of digital rectal examination and prostate specific antigen in detecting carcinoma prostate

To investigate the ability of digital rectal examination [DRE] and prostate specific antigen [PSA] in detecting carcinoma prostrate. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation from December 1996 to December 1999. patients and Two hundred patients entered the protocol. They presented with complaint of prostatism or retention of urine. The patients were evaluated with estimation of serum prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination was performed. Prostatic tissue biopsy was also done. Digital rectal examination has shown sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 73.22%. The sensitivity of PSA was 87% and specificity was 70.8%. The positive predictive value for DRE and PSA was 57.5% and 78.04% respectively. Negative predictive value was 73.22% and 85.22% respectively. P value was statistically significant <0.037. In the second part of study a baseline serum PSA level in age-matched 200 patients without history of prostatism was estimated. It was concluded that PSA represent an important adjunct to DRE for detection of prostate carcinoma